Chapter 51: the flower of hope that blooms in the heart of darkness.
The night at the City of Dreams, once radiant with joy and celebration for Flora's birthday, had transformed into a battlefield. The rooftop, previously adorned with vibrant flowers and elegant decorations, was now a scene of chaos—shattered furniture, scattered petals, and the hotel's flickering lights, as if surrendering to the weight of the conflict.
At the heart of the intense struggle stood General Romeo, his colossal peacock, formed from thousands of gleaming balisong knives, radiating a brilliant azure energy—a testament to his unshakable power. Across from him, Martin, the Supremo of the Katipunan, knelt, his body pierced by massive balisongs, his once-fierce defiance fading into desperation and disbelief.
"Impossible," Martin whispered, his voice trembling with a mix of rage and doubt as he glared at Romeo. The black electricity crackling around his body dimmed, and even his buffalo-like form, once brimming with strength, seemed to falter. "How are you doing this? Who are you, really?" His eyes burned with frustration, yet a flicker of pride lingered, as if he couldn't fully accept his defeat.
Romeo stood calm and composed, his long blue hair swaying gently in the cool night breeze. His face showed no trace of fear, only resolute determination. "You wouldn't understand, even if I explained why you can't win against me," he replied, his voice low but commanding, as if he had been waiting for this moment. "You still have a chance to surrender, to reflect on your sins and repent in prison." His words ignited Martin's fury further.
The balisongs forming the giant peacock stirred, spreading out and circling Martin like predatory birds, each moving with precision and purpose, as if possessing a mind of its own. Their movements were a deadly dance, ready to end any resistance. Romeo's gaze locked onto Martin, his eyes filled with determination but tinged with pity—pity for an enemy lost to the path of violence. "It's a shame if you die here," he said, his tone steady but firm. "You don't have to continue down this dark path. The Filipinos you claim to fight for—you can't save them through violence and kidnapping."
A bitter, hollow laugh escaped Martin, a sound heavy with denial. "Surrender? To a traitor like you?" he roared, his voice quivering with anger and exhaustion. "I'd rather die than bow to a lapdog of the Spaniards!" He struggled to move, but the balisongs held him fast, like unyielding chains pinning him in place. His eyes blazed with defiance, though his body betrayed his weakening resolve.
"How long will you cling to your pride?" Romeo responded, his voice unwavering, carrying the weight of his conviction. "If your intentions for the Filipino people are genuine, why use someone like Flora as a pawn against the Spaniards? True freedom isn't won by sacrificing your own countrymen." His words pierced Martin's heart like a dagger, sparking a fleeting moment of doubt in the Supremo's eyes. But the doubt was quickly consumed by rage. "Don't lecture me!" Martin bellowed. "The Spaniards are the true evil here! And people like you, serving them, are worse than monsters!"
In a flash, a new portal opened behind Martin, and from it emerged a massive tentacle, far more powerful than the ones before, a living weapon poised to kill. But before it could strike Romeo, the balisongs of the peacock moved with blinding speed, slicing through the tentacle as if it were mere paper. The peacock let out a deafening cry, a warning to all present, a declaration of Romeo's unmatched power. "You can't defeat me with such tactics," Romeo said, his voice brimming with confidence.
While the battle raged on the rooftop, the entire City of Dreams was engulfed in turmoil. The Katipunan rebels, in their bold attempt to seize the hotel, hadn't anticipated the presence of numerous soldiers ready to defend the guests. Civilians hid in the building's corners—under tables, behind doors, and in darkened hallways—as the sounds of gunfire, clashing steel, and cries of combat echoed through every floor. The once-luxurious hotel had become a war zone, each step fraught with danger.
On the fifth floor, two of Flora's former campmates and Romeo's trusted soldiers led the fight—Abby, the 20-year-old emissary of Arayat, and Iya, the emissary of Iba. Both held the rank of 2nd Lieutenant, serving their respective towns after two years under Romeo's command. Abby, her long black hair shimmering under the hotel's lights, unleashed a surge of powerful energy, summoning crystalline magic cubes that glowed like diamonds. Each cube, a meter in size and weighing over ten kilos, formed an unbreakable glass-like barrier, shielding against the rebels' bullets and attacks. "Magic Cube!" she declared, her voice resolute as the cubes materialized, each one a testament to her unwavering determination to protect her allies and the civilians.
"It's time to strike!" Iya shouted, her voice brimming with confidence as she led the assault. Her body was enveloped in magical bubbles, invisible traps that floated around her. Each bubble added ten kilos to the weight of anyone it touched, clinging to the rebels' bodies like heavy shackles. When the bubbles latched onto their arms or legs, the rebels were bound as if by iron chains, their movements slowed to a crawl.
"What are these things?!" a rebel cried, panic rising as they clawed at the bubbles, which stretched like rubber with every tug, making escape impossible. "You can't remove them!" Iya taunted, her smile sharp as she watched the rebels flail helplessly.
Iya's bubbles had another ability—they could encase people entirely, suspending them in midair, impervious to ordinary attacks. This made capturing the rebels effortless. Rebels who had once charged with bravado now found themselves floating, powerless, as soldiers swiftly apprehended them. "The bubbles will only last three minutes," Iya instructed. "Hurry and secure them!" Each bubble was a symbol of her control, a reminder that even amidst chaos, her power remained unshaken.
On a higher floor, two more of Flora's comrades fought fiercely—Reign, the emissary of Quirino, and Peter, the emissary of Marinduque. Both Majors, they were seasoned warriors serving their towns. Reign's body released flocks of doves, which swarmed the rebels, sowing confusion in their ranks. The doves moved like illusions, swift and elusive, diverting the rebels' attention. "Why are there birds here?!" a rebel shouted, swatting futilely at the doves. Each bird was a fragment of Reign's will, willing to sacrifice itself for the safety of others.
As the rebels were distracted, Peter closed in unnoticed. His body was cloaked in sand, granting him extraordinary strength and durability. A suit of sand armor protected him, impervious even to gunfire. His punches and kicks landed like explosions, disarming rebels and instilling fear in their hearts. His sand was a living shield, allowing him to endure the battle's intensity. One by one, the rebels fell like ragdolls swept away by a storm, while Peter stood firm, his eyes blazing with resolve.
Outside the building, Sasha, the emissary of Sarangani, hovered in the air, her power encasing the entire hotel in an invisible dimensional shield. Within her domain, she sensed every movement, pinpointing the rebels' locations with ease and relaying them to her allies. Her ability prevented the chaos from spilling into nearby buildings, protecting the civilians outside. Her dimension was a perfect trap, ensuring no rebel could escape, making their capture swift and efficient.
In just ten minutes, Romeo's soldiers, led by the emissaries, subdued the rebels within the hotel. Their coordinated attacks and masterful use of their powers allowed them to apprehend most of the insurgents, who were now trapped in Iya's bubbles or felled by Peter's blows. The civilians, once cowering in fear, were gradually evacuated, thanks to the soldiers' swift actions.
When the five—Abby, Iya, Reign, Peter, and Sasha—reached the rooftop, they found Martin kneeling, pierced by massive balisongs. His body seemed unable to move, yet the dark energy surrounding him pulsed with defiance. The rooftop was a harrowing sight—the once-lavish space was now a battlefield, strewn with debris and marred by the scars of combat.
"General Romeo!" the five shouted in unison, rushing to their leader's side. They noticed the wounds and tears in Romeo's uniform, and worry gripped them. His blue hair was damp with sweat, and his face bore traces of exhaustion, but his eyes remained sharp and resolute. "General, you're hurt!" Abby exclaimed, her voice laced with concern, her hands trembling at the thought of their leader's condition.
"Don't worry," Romeo replied, his voice calm but tinged with fatigue. "A few scratches won't kill me." He fixed his gaze on his team, his eyes serious as he issued a warning. "Be careful. Our enemy may lack knowledge of the emissary state, but his attacks are incredibly powerful. He even managed to breach my absolute defense." His words carried weight, showing respect for their foe's strength without a hint of fear.
Abby immediately asked, "General, where's Flora?" Her voice was thick with worry, knowing how vital Flora was to their group, not just as a comrade but as a cherished sister.
Romeo explained that Flora was currently held captive by the monster in the sky but reassured them. "They won't kill her. They plan to use her as a hostage for ransom. But we won't let that happen." His voice was steady, exuding confidence, as if he knew the battle was far from over.
Romeo glanced at Martin, who was struggling to rise despite the balisongs pinning him down. "If you've noticed, his body is impervious to ordinary attacks. I believe his ability makes him immortal. He's an extremely dangerous terrorist, so we must capture him, no matter what." His words were resolute, inspiring his team.
With Romeo's order to prepare for battle, the five unleashed a surge of energy, their presence like a storm ready to erupt. "I never expected this to happen on Flora's birthday," Abby said, her voice heavy with bitterness and anger, her eyes burning with determination to save their friend.
"You'll pay for taking our little sister!" Sasha shouted, her eyes blazing with fury, as if ready to crush anything in her path.
"Exactly!" Reign added, his voice brimming with courage. "I'll make you regret ruining Flora's special day!" His words were charged with emotion, reflecting his deep affection for Flora.
"Nah, you shouldn't say that, especially with General Romeo here," Peter teased, his tone playful but with a smirk, trying to lighten the tension.
"Right," Abby agreed, a faint smile on her lips. "The General should be the one saying that. Flora would definitely prefer it." Her voice carried a hint of jest, but her eyes remained vigilant, ready for battle.
Reign protested, "I have every right to fight for Flora! But I'm not trying to steal her from the General. I've accepted that she prefers him." His voice was laced with resignation, but a trace of sadness lingered, revealing his five years of unrequited love for Flora.
Iya was stunned. "Wow, you've really accepted that you're out of the running for Flora? You chased her for five years!" she said, her voice filled with astonishment, her eyes sparkling with surprise.
"Yeah, yeah," Reign replied, his smile forced. "I need to move on. I never stood a chance against General Romeo." His words carried acceptance, but a hint of bitterness showed his emotional struggle.
Romeo sighed, his face showing mild irritation. "I don't understand what you're all talking about. You know I see Flora as a sister, just like the rest of you," he said, his tone serious but tinged with surprise at their banter amidst the battle. "It's been two years since you completed my training, but I expect you to know that what I hate most is not taking a mission seriously."
The five saluted promptly, their faces reflecting respect and alertness. "Yes, General!" they responded in unison, preparing for battle, their hearts filled with determination.
As the group conversed, Martin unleashed a surge of dark energy, his body struggling to rise from his knees. "Don't underestimate me, you filthy Spanish lapdogs!" he roared, his voice like thunder echoing across the rooftop. His form began to dissolve into red smoke, swirling and gathering at the head of the monster in the sky. From the smoke emerged a new figure—a muscular beast with black, iron-like skin, its eyes blazing with rage. His presence was terrifying, like a god of destruction.
"It's sickening to see traitors united before me!" Martin bellowed. "I'll crush you all right here!" His voice was filled with fury, as if ready to obliterate everything around him.
"His wounds are gone," Abby whispered, her eyes wide with concern as she watched Martin's transformation.
"Something's wrong," Iya said, her voice tinged with unease. "His ability is strange." Her hands trembled, but her resolve remained steadfast.
Reign, releasing doves from his body, shouted, "I don't care what kind of power he has! I'll save Flora no matter what!" His doves surged toward Martin, but the Supremo swiftly unleashed tentacles from his back, snatching the doves one by one. Though they shattered, the doves reformed like slime, flying back to attack, pecking and clawing at Martin. But his iron-like skin was impervious. "These pests are infuriating!" Martin growled, his anger intensifying.
While Martin was distracted, the slime gathered behind him, forming Reign's body. "Checkmate!" Reign yelled, plunging a knife into Martin's neck. But Martin swiftly grabbed him and hurled him away. "You pest!" In midair, Reign's body dissolved into doves, flying back to Romeo's side and reforming. "He's tough," Reign panted. "I hit a vital spot, but he's still alive!" His voice was laced with frustration, but his eyes burned with determination.
Martin yanked the knife from his neck and tossed it aside, his grin smug. "Fools! I told you, my entire body is my weapon, and it cannot die!" His voice dripped with arrogance, confident in his invincibility.
He gathered a black energy ball in his hand and hurled it at Romeo and the group. Abby quickly formed a wall of magic cubes, blocking the attack, but it caused a massive explosion that shook the rooftop. She swiftly created a staircase of cubes, which Peter used to charge at Martin. His body turned to sand, growing into a towering giant, and he lunged, his punches like sandstorms.
Martin stood unfazed, trading blows with Peter in midair. Each of Martin's strikes was devastating, shattering Peter's sand form, but it instantly reformed. With a powerful blow, Peter pushed Martin off the monster's head, slamming him onto the rooftop. He quickly returned to Romeo's side. "We didn't bring any equipment," Iya said, her voice tense. "We need to capture him now!"
Abby handed grenades to Reign. "Let's try blowing him up," she said, her eyes fierce with determination. Reign, enveloped in energy, threw the grenades, which his doves snatched and carried toward Martin. Martin tried to seize the doves with his tentacles, but they were too swift.
Suddenly, he noticed Iya's bubbles scattered around him. "What are these now?" he snarled as his tentacles collided with them, each bubble sticking and adding weight. His arm grew heavy with over a hundred kilos, and his tentacles slumped to the ground. "What nonsense is this? You can't stop me with such weak abilities!"
"Weak?" Iya retorted, her voice dripping with mockery. "I'm insulted to hear that from someone so feeble!" Her bubbles turned red, magnetizing to each other, binding Martin with his own tentacles, weighed down by over a thousand kilos. "I may not be able to kill you," Iya said, "but a thousand kilos should keep you still!"
Martin struggled, but Reign's five doves, each carrying a grenade, swooped in. Using their beaks, they removed the grenade pins. Abby swiftly formed a cube cage, trapping Martin with the explosives. Moments later, they detonated, shattering his body in a deafening blast.
But the victory was short-lived. To the group's shock, Martin's body began to reform, as if untouched by the explosion. "This isn't normal," Abby whispered, her eyes wide with alarm. "I've never seen an emissary do this." Her voice trembled, but her hands remained ready to summon more cubes.
Martin's body grew again, pushing against the cube until it cracked. Abby knew her cubes were weakened by the blast and prepared to create another cage. "I'll trap him again!" she declared.
But Romeo stopped her. "Your magic cubes are strong, Abby, but they can't hold that monster. He's getting stronger by the minute." His voice was calm, exuding confidence, as if he had a plan forming.
The group wondered how Martin could wield such power. As they spoke, Martin attacked again, his new form nearly ten meters tall. They knew they couldn't let him close in, so they unleashed their energy. Iya's bubbles enveloped Martin, but even with two thousand kilos weighing him down, he took a step forward, striking fear into Iya. "How can he move with that weight?" she whispered, her eyes filled with dread.
Martin unleashed a surge of black energy, like lightning coursing through him, shattering Iya's bubbles one by one. "He destroyed my bubbles!" Iya gasped, her voice shaking. "His energy is stronger than mine!" Her hands trembled, but her resolve held firm.
Peter charged again, his sand forming shields. Despite Martin's size, Peter pushed him back with a punch, but it wasn't enough to harm the Supremo. Martin grabbed Peter's head, slammed it into the ground three times, and threw him against the rooftop wall. "His physical strength is growing too," Peter panted, struggling to stand. "General Romeo, what's the plan?"
Despite his team's fear, Romeo remained calm, his face devoid of panic. "I can stop him," he said, "but we'd waste energy fighting him directly." He looked at the monster in the sky. "His real body is in that thing. He said earlier that his body is his weapon, and as long as he has energy, he won't die." His words were confident, as if he'd uncovered the enemy's secret.
Martin's tentacles attacked again, but Abby's cubes blocked them. "So, we need to destroy that monster?" Sasha asked, her voice laced with worry.
"I'm sorry, General," Sasha said, "I didn't bring any equipment. I'm useless in this fight." Her voice was heavy with disappointment, as if her confidence was crumbling.
Romeo sighed. "You don't need to feel ashamed. You were invited here for a party, not a battle. But I commend you—without your swift actions, many civilians would have been harmed. You've also given me time to find our enemy's weakness." His words were filled with appreciation, inspiring the group.
He smiled, his eyes brimming with confidence. "Now, leave it to me." Thousands of balisongs appeared around them as Romeo unleashed a torrent of energy. "Second Blade of Peace: Paladin!" The balisongs formed a colossal knight, wielding a sword and shield, towering over ten meters. The knight glowed in the darkness, a god of battle.
His comrades marveled at his power. "Incredible," Abby whispered, her eyes wide with awe. "After all this time, I'm seeing this power again."
With a wave of Romeo's hand, the paladin swung its sword, which Martin blocked with his hands. "Useless!" Martin roared, struggling against the blade. He pulled it, causing the sword to hit the ground. Martin seized the chance to attack, but the paladin raised its shield, clashing with his fist in a massive burst of energy.
The paladin pressed on, slicing Martin's arms, but they regenerated instantly. It hurled its sword, piercing Martin's skull, yet he stood firm. The paladin grabbed Martin, pinning him, as giant balisongs spun above. "Paladin Strike!" Romeo shouted, and ten six-meter balisongs crashed into Martin's body.
The rooftop fell silent as Martin's body stilled, but his energy didn't fade. Moments later, his form turned to red smoke and vanished, reforming in the distance in his original, unscathed body. "Hahaha! Was that your boasted attack, General?" he taunted, his laugh dripping with mockery.
But Romeo remained calm. "I'll admit, I'm impressed by your ability," he said, his smile confident. "I didn't expect to see such a unique power in a terrorist. But I easily found your weakness."
"Weakness?" Martin asked, his voice tinged with unease. "What do you mean?"
"When you said your body is your weapon, I realized we might not be facing your true body," Romeo replied, eyeing the monster in the sky. "I suspect your real body is inside that creature, controlling this weapon to fight us." His words were assured, as if he'd unraveled the enemy's secret.
Fear flashed across Martin's face, confirming Romeo's suspicion. "Your reaction proves I'm right," Romeo said, his smile widening. "I was only guessing, but now I'm certain how to defeat you."
Martin laughed, but it was laced with nervousness. "Fine, my true body is inside the Ursarion," he admitted, his grin devilish. "The Ursarion is the weapon granted to me by the diwata. But where do you think I get my energy? The Ursarion holds many people—including Spanish hostages. Destroy it, and you kill them all!" His voice was taunting, as if he held the upper hand.
He challenged Romeo. "What will you do, General? How will you defeat me without killing over five hundred people?" His words were venomous, aimed at shattering Romeo's resolve.
Romeo sighed, his face heavy with disappointment. "You're only proving how despicable you are," he said, his voice a mix of pity and anger. "Despite your power, you'd use hostages as a shield against me." His eyes burned, but he remained composed, ready to face any challenge.
Martin mocked Romeo's words, claiming he didn't need to fight fairly against a traitor. "The Spaniards use Filipinos as tools. My actions are a clever move against a deceitful government!" He revealed that most of those inside the Ursarion were Filipinos weary of Spanish oppression. "I'll be their hero, fulfilling their dreams of freedom!" he declared, his voice brimming with pride.
"You're delusional," Romeo countered, his voice firm with authority. He explained that Martin's rebellion only brought death to Filipinos. "As diwata emissaries, we feel the need for change, but our pact doesn't cover the safety of those living on this land. The Spaniards have lived here for over five hundred years—generations born and died in the Philippines. If the diwatas allowed them to stay, who are we to drive them out?" His words were logical, aiming to open Martin's mind.
Martin exploded with rage. "You're blind to our cause because the Spaniards' money has corrupted you!" he shouted. "The Philippines is for Filipinos alone!" His eyes blazed, as if ready to destroy everything before him.
"I know that," Romeo replied. "But we don't need to kill to achieve peace. Those who live by violence will die by it. As a Filipino, I'll create a safe and peaceful nation for our people, even under Spanish rule." His voice was filled with conviction, as if he could already see the future he envisioned.
"A peaceful nation with the Spaniards? That's beyond childish!" Martin roared, summoning a massive energy ball crackling with black lightning. "I'll kill you and your worthless ideals!" His voice was pure fury, ready to annihilate everything.
But before he could hurl the colossal energy ball, an explosion rocked the Ursarion in the sky. Martin felt his energy wane, and his ball shrank. "No! What's happening to my power?" he cried. "Are the people inside the Ursarion waking up? How?" His voice was filled with shock, his confidence crumbling.
Suddenly, white sampaguita petals scattered around them, their sweet fragrance filling the air. Each petal was a symbol of hope, easing the tension and dispelling the fear in the hearts of those nearby.
"Oh… it seems our princess has awakened," Romeo said, his smile radiant with confidence as he looked at the Ursarion's head.
From atop the monster, Flora emerged, still in her white gown, standing tall with fierce determination, her body enveloped in a radiant white energy, a beacon in the darkness. "Impossible!" Martin shouted. "How did she wake up? She was supposed to be asleep with the hostages!" His voice was thick with disbelief, unable to accept the unfolding events.
"Remember when I said you'd regret taking her hostage?" Romeo said, his smile broadening. "This is exactly what I meant." His words were laced with assurance, as if he knew the tide of battle was about to turn.
Sampaguita vines swiftly spread across the Ursarion, blooming vibrantly amidst the darkness, like stars in the night sky. As Flora unleashed her white energy, five massive sampaguita flowers appeared behind her, like the wings of a goddess.
"So, she's sugo of the diwata too?" Martin whispered, his voice trembling with shock and fear.
"She's not just anyone," Romeo replied, his voice swelling with pride. "She is the flower of hope that blooms in the heart of darkness." His words were like a song, inspiring his comrades.
"No, no! No one can stop me!" Martin roared, his black energy ball swelling to nearly five meters.
In a fit of rage, Martin hurled the black energy ball at Flora. But in an instant, Flora transformed into Jasmine, the emissary of La Trinidad. She caught the ball with her hand, and its energy dissipated, as if absorbed by her power. "What's happening to my attack? Why is it weakening?" Martin gasped, fear creeping into his eyes.
One of the flowers behind Jasmine glowed, and moments later, her energy surged even stronger. "I can't believe she absorbed my strongest attack," Martin muttered, watching his energy ball vanish.
Romeo explained that Jasmine's ability was to absorb the energy of anything around her and wield it as a weapon. He revealed that by taking Flora and bringing her close to the Ursarion, which held vast energy she could absorb, Martin had made a fatal mistake that would lead to his defeat.
"So, she can absorb all the Ursarion's energy?" Martin asked, his voice trembling.
From Jasmine's hand, a colossal white energy ball formed, towering over twelve meters. It shone like a star, illuminating the sky and inspiring hope in all who saw it. "This is impossible!" Martin cried, his voice breaking.
"Because of the Ursarion's energy, she's become even more dangerous," Romeo said, his voice brimming with confidence. "It seems your own weapon will be your downfall." His words were a final warning, signaling his trust in their victory.
Jasmine leaped, holding the energy ball, and charged at Martin. "I won't lose!" Martin screamed, but the massive energy ball struck him, unleashing a cataclysmic explosion. The force was so immense that the rooftop began to crumble, and the shockwave spread outward. Sasha's dimension cracked under the pressure. Abby tried to encase the area in magic cubes, but the blast shattered them. "It's too powerful; we can't contain it!" she cried.
Sasha's dimension shattered completely, and the city witnessed a blinding light atop the hotel. Romeo's thousands of balisongs swiftly spread out, shielding nearby buildings from flying debris. From Manila's dark night sky, a radiant flower of light bloomed, visible across the city before fading away.
As the light dissipated, the group was stunned by the devastation of Jasmine's attack. Nearly three floors of the hotel had vanished. Moments later, they landed safely on Abby's floating magic cubes. "That was incredible," Sasha said, her voice filled with awe. "I can't believe our little sister did this." Her eyes shone with pride, but worry lingered.
"She's out of her mind," Abby complained, her voice tinged with shock. "Good thing we evacuated everyone earlier."
"She didn't even consider we could've been caught in the blast," Peter added.
"I don't think she expected to cause such destruction," Romeo said, looking at Flora, now back in her human form, staring at her hands in confusion. Her face was etched with shock, as if she couldn't comprehend the magnitude of her actions.
He explained to his team that Flora wasn't accustomed to wielding such immense energy, so she had no idea how destructive her absorbed energy attacks could be. Abby, nearly in tears, admitted she was terrified while desperately reinforcing her magic cubes to protect them. They sighed in relief, grateful to have survived the explosion.
"Ensure all victims are tended to," Romeo ordered his soldiers. "The monster and portal are gone. The leader likely escaped, but it'll take him time to recover." His voice was confident, as if he knew the battle wasn't over, but victory was theirs for now.
"He's probably furious," Iya joked, her smile playful. "His boasted immortal weapon was destroyed by our princess." Her voice was filled with pride, celebrating Flora's triumph.
The group approached Flora, who was scratching her head, aware she'd done something she shouldn't have. The night of celebration had turned to chaos, but it was unforgettable—not just for Romeo's lavish preparations, but for Flora's power, which shifted the battle's tide. Her comrades looked at her with pride and concern as sampaguita petals gently fell around them, a reminder of hope amidst the darkness.
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